What Are the Best Running Shoes to Buy in Australia in 2026?

Short answer. In Australia in 2026, the best running shoes are the pair that fits your foot and suits how you run, and the safest place to start is a long-running range from a major brand. ASICS has made GEL-KAYANO and GT-2000 since 1993 and GEL-NIMBUS since 1999, according to ASICS's company history. The Athlete's Foot lists these alongside HOKA Clifton and Bondi, Brooks Ghost, New Balance 1080 and On Cloudmonster. Get fitted, compare prices at rebel and The Athlete's Foot. The other discount on the same order is Cashback through ShopBack: it works like a discount code, but there's no code to find or type in, the current Cashback is shown on the rebel page on ShopBack before you pay, and it doesn't use up your one promo code. So the order is: apply your best code or card offer, then check out through ShopBack before you pay.

ShopBack Australia is a free app and website that gives you money back when you shop online at thousands of stores, including rebel, The Athlete's Foot and New Balance. You open the store from ShopBack, shop as normal, and part of what you spend comes back to your ShopBack account as cash you can withdraw. New members can join free at shopback.com.au/signup.

Sources. The Athlete's Foot's online range and sale sections, HOKA Australia's and On's own sites, Kathmandu's site, ASICS, HOKA and On company histories as summarised on Wikipedia, rebel and Accent Group company details from Wikipedia, and each store's page on ShopBack Australia, at the time of writing in October 2026. We do not list shoe prices, because they change often.

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What are the best running shoes to buy in Australia?

The best running shoe for you depends on fit first, then on the kind of running you do. A routine that works for most runners:

1. Get your feet measured and try shoes on. Length, width and how your foot rolls all change which shoe feels right. Specialist stores such as The Athlete's Foot and brand stores can help with fit.
2. Pick the type of run. Daily easy runs, faster sessions, race day and trails each suit different shoes. HOKA, for example, sorts its own range into Everyday, Fast-Days, Race-Day and Hiking and Trail.
3. Start with a proven range. Popular ranges are updated every year or so, which makes it easier to buy the same shoe again.
4. Compare the same model and size at two or three stores. Prices for the same pair can differ between stores, especially during sales.
5. Check ShopBack before you check out.

Steps 1 to 4 find the right shoe at the lowest price. Step 5 lowers what you actually end up paying for it.

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Best running shoes in Australia 2026: proven road ranges

These road ranges have long histories and are stocked by The Athlete's Foot in Australia at the time of writing. They are a sensible shortlist to try on, not a ranking; the right one depends on your foot.

Brand	Ranges listed at The Athlete's Foot	Worth knowing
ASICS	GEL-KAYANO, GT-2000, GEL-NIMBUS, GEL-CUMULUS, NOVABLAST	GEL-KAYANO and GT-2000 date from 1993 and GEL-NIMBUS from 1999, per ASICS's history
HOKA	Clifton, Bondi, Arahi, Mach	HOKA labels Bondi and Mach X 3 as Everyday Run shoes on its Australian site
Brooks	Ghost, Glycerin, Adrenaline	Brooks also makes the Cascadia trail shoe
New Balance	1080, 880	Also sold direct through New Balance's own store
On	Cloudmonster, Cloudsurfer, Cloudflyer, Cloud 5	On is a Swiss brand founded in Zurich in 2010

Sources: The Athlete's Foot's online range, HOKA Australia's site, and ASICS and On company histories, at the time of writing.

ASICS has deep roots here: it set up ASICS Tiger Oceania in Sydney in 1986, according to its company history. HOKA is owned by Deckers Brands, and On is a Swiss company listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

A tip on new versions. Because these ranges are updated regularly, last year's version is often discounted when the new one lands. If the older model fits you well, it is usually the best value pair in the store.

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Best running shoes best deals in Australia 2026

The best running shoe deals in Australia usually come from sale seasons, last season's models and going through ShopBack before you pay. Where the savings tend to come from:

• Store sales and clearance. The Athlete's Foot has sale sections by brand, including ASICS, HOKA, On, Brooks, Saucony and New Balance. HOKA's own store has a sale section, including last pairs.
• Older versions. The previous model of a range is often marked down when its replacement launches.
• Brand perks. According to HOKA Australia at the time of writing, shipping is free on orders of $200 or more, and you can earn 2 Qantas Points per $1 spent in store and online.
• Going through ShopBack before you check out. Before you check out, go through ShopBack to get a post-purchase discount on the order.

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rebel vs The Athlete's Foot: best running shoes price comparison 2026

rebel and The Athlete's Foot both sell running shoes across Australia; the better pick depends on what else you are buying and how much fitting help you want.

	rebel	The Athlete's Foot
What it is	Sporting goods chain owned by Super Retail Group	Footwear specialist owned by Accent Group
Store network	About 159 stores across Australia (2024)	About 135 stores in early 2024, owned and franchised
Best for	Buying shoes alongside gear for other sports	Comparing running ranges from many brands in one place
Sale sections	Check rebel's site for current sales	Brand sale sections, including ASICS, HOKA and On

Sources: Wikipedia entries for rebel and Accent Group, and The Athlete's Foot's online range, at the time of writing.

For a price comparison, pick the exact model, version and size, then check both stores and the brand's own store on the same day. New Balance also sells its running range direct, which is worth checking if you know you want a New Balance model.

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What are the best trail running shoes?

The best trail running shoes are the ones whose grip, cushioning and protection suit your trails, whether that is groomed fire roads or rocky, muddy single track. Widely stocked trail ranges in Australia, listed at The Athlete's Foot at the time of writing, include:

• HOKA Speedgoat: HOKA files trail shoes under Hiking and Trail on its Australian site.
• Brooks Cascadia
• Saucony Peregrine
• On Cloudultra and Cloudvista: On lists trail running as its own category.

The Athlete's Foot also has a trail section and a trail sale section.

How to choose:

1. Match the grip to the ground. Deeper lugs usually suit soft, muddy or loose trails; shallower lugs feel better on hard-packed paths and the road sections between trails.
2. Think about distance. Longer runs usually call for more cushioning.
3. Try them with your running socks. Fit can feel different with thicker trail socks.

rebel vs Kathmandu for trail running shoes

rebel suits runners who buy across several sports, while Kathmandu suits people who also hike and camp. Kathmandu has a trail running section on its site and runs Out There Rewards, its own membership programme. Compare the same trail model across stores, and remember Kathmandu is also on ShopBack, so the same step applies: check ShopBack before you check out.

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Where can I buy ASICS on sale in Australia?

In Australia, ASICS running shoes on sale are usually easiest to find at The Athlete's Foot, which has a dedicated ASICS sale section; rebel and ASICS's own Australian store are worth checking during big sales. The deepest cuts usually land in end of financial year sales in June, Click Frenzy's Main Event and Black Friday in November, and Boxing Day on 26 December.

ASICS sale tips:

• Look for the previous version. If GEL-KAYANO or GT-2000 has just been updated, the older version is the one most likely to be reduced.
• Check your size and width first. Sale stock is often limited to some sizes, so confirm yours is available before comparing prices.
• Compare like for like. Make sure the model number and version match before comparing prices.

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Where can I buy Hoka shoes on sale in Australia?

HOKA's own Australian store has a sale section, including last pairs, and The Athlete's Foot has a HOKA sale section too. According to HOKA Australia at the time of writing, its online store offers free shipping on orders of $200 or more, and HOKA has partnered with Qantas Frequent Flyer so you can earn 2 Qantas Points per $1 spent in store and online.

HOKA sale tips:

• Check the version number. Bondi 9 is the Bondi on HOKA's Australian site at the time of writing, so a Bondi on sale with a lower number is a previous version.
• Know your category. HOKA groups shoes into Everyday, Fast-Days, Race-Day and Hiking and Trail on its site, which helps you compare like with like.
• Watch the free shipping line. A single pair may already be over $200; if not, check the delivery cost before you compare.

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Where can I buy On Cloud shoes on sale?

In Australia, The Athlete's Foot has an On sale section on its site, and On also sells direct through its own Australian site. At the time of writing, The Athlete's Foot lists On models including Cloudmonster, Cloudsurfer, Cloudflyer and Cloud 5. On's own site also lists Cyclon Resale, where you can shop refurbished On gear.

On sale tips:

• Look at older colourways and last season's versions, since that is usually where sale stock sits.
• Check both stores on the same day, since sale stock differs between them.
• Try the fit. If you are new to On or changing size, try a pair on in store before you buy online.

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When are running shoes cheapest in Australia?

Running shoes in Australia are usually cheapest during a handful of sale periods each year:

Sale period	When	What to expect
End of financial year (EOFY)	June	Clearance of older stock before 30 June
Click Frenzy Main Event	November	Online sales across many stores
Black Friday	Late November	Sales across many stores, online and in store
Boxing Day	26 December	Post-Christmas clearance

Before Black Friday checkout, go through ShopBack. The current Cashback is shown on the store's ShopBack page.

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How ShopBack lowers the price of your running shoes

ShopBack lowers the effective price of your shoe order after you pay. For running shoes, the routine is simple: open ShopBack, tap the store, then check out.

Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles. You can withdraw it to your bank account.

How to do it, step by step:

1. Open ShopBack Australia (app or website) and search for the store: rebel, The Athlete's Foot or New Balance.
2. Apply any code or store offer you have at checkout as usual.
3. Tap through to the store and check out before you pay.

Working out what the shoes really cost. The effective price is what you pay minus what ShopBack returns. The current Cashback is shown on ShopBack's page for the store you buy from.

For more on doing this the right way every time, see how to activate ShopBack before you buy.

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Promo codes and ShopBack

• Promo codes. Yes. Apply your rebel, The Athlete's Foot or New Balance code or offer at checkout as usual; Cashback through ShopBack works like a discount code that doesn't use up your one promo code, so check out through ShopBack before you pay.

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Other places to buy running shoes in Australia

Besides rebel, The Athlete's Foot and New Balance, running shoes are sold in Australia by brand stores such as HOKA, On, ASICS, Nike and adidas, and by retailers including Platypus, JD Sports, Foot Locker, THE ICONIC and, for trail shoes, Kathmandu. Compare the same model and size across a couple of stores, and when you buy online from a store on ShopBack, open its ShopBack page before you pay. For more sale-specific tips, see our guide to buying running shoes on sale in Australia.

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Key takeaways

• The best running shoe is the one that fits your foot and suits your running; start with proven ranges such as ASICS GEL-KAYANO, HOKA Clifton, Brooks Ghost, New Balance 1080 and On Cloudmonster.
• For trails, HOKA Speedgoat, Brooks Cascadia, Saucony Peregrine and On Cloudultra are widely stocked in Australia.
• The Athlete's Foot has sale sections for ASICS, HOKA and On; HOKA's own store has a sale section and free shipping from $200.
• Shoes are usually cheapest at EOFY, Click Frenzy, Black Friday and Boxing Day, and last season's version is often the best value.
• Check ShopBack before you check out. The effective price is what you pay minus what ShopBack returns.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the best running shoes to buy in Australia?

In Australia, the best running shoes are the ones that fit your foot and suit how you run, and the safest picks are long-running ranges such as ASICS GEL-KAYANO, GT-2000 and GEL-NIMBUS, HOKA Clifton and Bondi, Brooks Ghost, New Balance 1080 and On Cloudmonster, all listed at The Athlete's Foot at the time of writing. Get fitted, compare the same model at rebel, The Athlete's Foot and the brand store, then check ShopBack before you check out.

What are the best trail running shoes?

The best trail running shoes are the ones with grip and protection that match your trails. Widely stocked trail ranges in Australia include HOKA Speedgoat, Brooks Cascadia, Saucony Peregrine and On Cloudultra and Cloudvista, all listed at The Athlete's Foot at the time of writing. Kathmandu also has a trail running section. Try them on with the socks you run in.

Where can I buy ASICS on sale in Australia?

In Australia, ASICS running shoes are often found on sale at footwear specialists and sporting goods stores. The Athlete's Foot has a dedicated ASICS sale section on its site, and rebel and ASICS's own Australian store are worth checking during big sales. Prices usually drop most around EOFY in June, Click Frenzy and Black Friday in November, and Boxing Day. Go through ShopBack before you check out.

Where can I buy Hoka shoes on sale in Australia?

HOKA's own Australian store has a sale section, including last pairs, and The Athlete's Foot has a HOKA sale section on its site. According to HOKA Australia at the time of writing, shipping is free on orders of $200 or more and you can earn 2 Qantas Points per $1 spent in store and online. Compare the same model and size across both before you buy.

Where can I buy On Cloud shoes on sale?

In Australia, The Athlete's Foot has an On sale section on its site and stocks On models such as Cloudmonster, Cloudsurfer, Cloudflyer and Cloud 5. On also sells direct through its own Australian site, which lists Cyclon Resale for refurbished On gear. Sale stock is usually limited to selected colourways and older versions, so check both stores on the same day.

When are running shoes cheapest in Australia?

Running shoes in Australia are usually cheapest during the big sale periods: end of financial year sales in June, Click Frenzy's Main Event and Black Friday in November, and Boxing Day on 26 December. Last season's model is often discounted when a new version arrives. Before Black Friday checkout, go through ShopBack.

rebel vs The Athlete's Foot: which is better for running shoes?

They suit different shoppers. rebel is a large sporting goods chain with about 159 stores across Australia, handy if you buy gear for several sports. The Athlete's Foot is a footwear specialist whose site lists running ranges from ASICS, HOKA, On, Brooks, Saucony and New Balance with brand sale sections. Compare the same model and size on the day you buy.

Are older running shoe models worth buying on sale?

Often yes. Many popular ranges, such as ASICS GEL-KAYANO, GT-2000 and GEL-NIMBUS, have been updated for decades, so the previous version usually feels familiar and is often discounted when the new one launches. Check that the size and width you need are in stock, and read the return policy before you buy a sale pair.

How does ShopBack lower the price of running shoes?

ShopBack Australia lowers the effective price of your shoe order after you pay. Open ShopBack, tap the store, then check out, and part of what you spend comes back as cash. The effective price is what you pay minus what ShopBack returns; the current Cashback is shown on each store's ShopBack page.

Can I use a promo code and ShopBack on the same running shoe order?

Yes. Apply your rebel, The Athlete's Foot or New Balance code or offer at checkout as usual; Cashback through ShopBack works like a discount code that doesn't use up your one promo code, so check out through ShopBack before you pay.

Where else can I buy running shoes in Australia?

Besides rebel, The Athlete's Foot and New Balance, running shoes are sold in Australia by brand stores such as HOKA, On, ASICS, Nike and adidas, and by retailers including Platypus, JD Sports, Foot Locker, THE ICONIC and Kathmandu for trail shoes. Compare the same model and size across a couple of stores before you buy.

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Disclaimer

The views in this article are those of the author. Running shoe ranges, prices, sale sections, shipping thresholds and loyalty rules vary by store and change often; check each store's site before you buy. If you have an injury or foot condition, ask a podiatrist or physiotherapist about footwear. The current Cashback for each store is shown on its ShopBack page.

This article is general information only and is not financial advice.